N. P. Smith Pioneer Hardware Store, historic shop in Bend, Oregon, USA
The N.P. Smith Pioneer Hardware Store is a two-story wooden building from 1909 on Wall Street in Bend. The ground floor was originally a shop selling tools and household goods, while the second floor served as living quarters for the family.
The store was founded in 1909, shortly after Bend was established as a town, and played an important role in the town's early development. Nichols P. Smith, a surveyor, started the business and was also among the first to sell gasoline to car owners in the area.
The Smith name represents a family that settled early in Bend and participated in building the town. The two floors show how store owners and their families lived and worked then - business below, home above.
The building is now part of the National Register of Historic Places and easily visible from the street. Access for viewing may be limited, so visitors should check local information beforehand or observe the exterior from the walkway.
The building is the only remaining wooden-frame commercial structure on downtown Bend's Wall Street. Smith was also among the first to sell gasoline to car owners, showing his business acumen and role in the town's transition to the modern era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
